Reinforced multiple product carton

ABSTRACT

A one-piece paperboard carton for packaging two or more different sized products comprises a conveniently shaped outer carton having a secondary product inner compartment formed therein by at least two interior wall panels, said interior wall panels being connected together and extending respectively between two adjacent side walls of the carton with the added feature that one of the interior wall panels has as an integral part thereof a bridge member which is attached between opposed side walls of the carton to insure that, upon erection of the carton from a flattened condition, there is no possibility that the two interior wall panels will not assume their preferred right angle relationship with respect to one another when forming the separate inner compartment within the carton.

United States Patent [1 1 Forbes, Jr.

[ Apr. 16, 1974 [75] Inventor: Hampton E. Forbes, Jr.,

Wilmington, Del.

[73] Assignee: Westvaco Corporation, New York,

[22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No: 288,722

[52] US. Cl 229/38, 206/4534, 229/27, 229/41 B [51] Int. Cl B6501 5/10, B65d 5/50 [58] Field of Search 229/39 B, 39, 27, 15, 41 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,854,]81 9/1958 Smith 229/27 3,563,449 2/1971 Forbes, Jr 229/15 X 2,825,496 3/1958 Miessler, Sr 229/39 B X 3,1 l$,290 l2/l963 Byassee 229/39 B 3,156,351 11/1964 Small 229/27 X 3,232,513 2/1966 Maid 229/39 B X Primary Examiner-william i. Price Assistant ExaminerBruce H. Bernstein [57] ABSTRACT A one-piece paperboard carton for packaging two or more different sized products comprises a conveniently shaped outer carton having a secondary product inner compartment formed therein by at least two interior wall panels, said interior wall panels being connected together and extending respectively between two adjacent side walls of the carton with the added feature that one of the interior wall panels has as an integral part thereof a bridge member which is attached between opposed side walls of the carton to insure that, upon erection of the carton from a flattened condition, there is no possibility that the two interior wall panels will not assume their preferred right angle relationship with respect to one another when forming the separate inner compartment within the carton.

10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENIE APR 1 6 m4 Sfltil 1 OF 4 (PRIOR ART) PATENTE APR 1 6 m4 SHEU 2 (If 4 PATENTEU APR 1 5 m4 SHEU 3 0F 4 PAIENTEDAPR 1 6| SHEET 8 BF 4 REINFORCED MULTIPLE PRODUCT CARTON SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention relates to folding paperboard cartons of the type commonly employed in the packaging of two or more products of different sizes and dimensions. It is well known in the packaging industry that cartons of the nature of the present invention require at least one false wall located internally in the package to separate the products from one another. Generally, the false wall is provided in the cartons by extending the glue flap, used to secure the carton together, with at least two additional interior panels which then form a right angle bridge configuration between two adjacent walls of the carton. The right angle bridge thus serves to provide a support and a product locating shelf within the carton for accommodating at least one additional product in the carton. However, cartons of the prior art type just described tend to suffer from several shortcomings which relate essentially to problems that occur when the carton is set up for loading and sealing.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a one-piece paperboard carton for two or more different sized products comprising a carton configuration that may be shipped and stored in flat condition and that has a product locating and supporting structure therein which, in the erected condition of the carton, is adapted to engage and position each of the products packaged therein in their proper location.

it is another object of the present invention to provide such a carton as described above which includes the necessary safeguards to insure complete reliability during the set-up and loading sequence.

Thus, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a one-piece paperboard carton for two or more products comprises four foldably connected side walls that are angularly shiftable between a substantially flat collapsed condition and an erected condition wherein the side walls define a typical rectangular carton with right angled corners having end closures constituted by the usual flaps hingedly extending from the end edges of the side walls, and an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton including wall portions which are connected between two opposed side walls of the carton and an adjacent side wall of the carton, whereby each of the products inserted in the carton become positively located and supported from one another and from contact with all of the walls of the carton.

In each embodiment of the invention, a portion of one of the interior walls of the carton extends between two opposed side walls of the carton, and a second interior wall extends between the first interior wall and an adjacent side wall of the carton. In addition, each embodiment of the invention also includes a means located internally of the carton for restraining movement of one of the products within the carton where the products are of differentsizes.

The carton of the present invention is generally used to package at least two items, one of which is normally displayed as a bonus or extra within the carton. For this purpose, the carton may, although it would not be required. include a window portion formed in one or more of the carton side walls through which the bonus item might be viewed.

in one embodiment of the invention, a first interior wall panel is hingedly attached to the glue flap for securing the carton together and a second interior wall panel is divided into two portions and hingedly attached to the first interior wall panel. The first interior wall panel also includes a centrally located extended portion having a glue flap at the free end thereof and thus the first interior wall panel with its central portion, when secured in place, extends between two opposed side walls of the carton. The second interior wall panel also includes glue flaps, one attached to each of the two portions thereof, and thus the second interior wall panel portion when secured in place extends from the first interior wall panel to an adjacent side wall of the carton. This arrangement insures that when the carton is squared or set-up, the first interior wall panel extends perpendicularly from one adjacent side wall while the two portions of the second interior wall panel extend at a right angle to the first interior wall panel and perpendicularly to another adjacent side wall of the carton. Meanwhile, the extended centrally located portion of the first interior wall panel, which at one time was a part of the second interior wall panel, serves as a bridge member for the purpose of guaranteeing that the two interior wall panels will assume their right angle relationship when the carton is squared for filling.

in a second embodiment of the invention, two interior wall panels are cut and scored from an extension of the carton blank that is hingedly attached to the glue flap which secures the carton together. In this case, a first interior wall panel is hingedly attached directly to the glue flap and it includes a portion which extends from one opposed side wall of the carton to another op posed side wall of the carton where it is securely attached thereto by a glue flap hingedly attached to the first interior wall panel portion. A second interior wall panel is hingedly attached to the first interior wall panel and it extends from the first interior wall panel to an ad jacent side wall of the carton where it is securely attached thereto by a glue flap hingedly attached to the free edge of the second interior wall panel. Finally, the carton glue flap also includes a product retaining stop panel hingedly attached thereto along a fold line that is offset from the fold line connecting the first interior wall panel to the glue flap so that the product retaining stop panel assumes a position that extends across the space formed by the first and second interior wall panels when the carton is erected.

in a third embodiment of the invention, two interior wall panels are cut and scored from a glue flap extension which is hingedly attached to the main carton blank. In this embodiment, a first interior wall panel is hingedly connected to the free edge of the canon glue flap and extends inside the carton from one side wall of the carton to a point determined by one or more score lines in the interior wall panel itself where the first interior wall panel is hingedly connected to a second interior wall panel. The second interior wall panel extends from the first interior wall panel to an adjacent side wall of the carton where it is securely attached. In addition, the second interior wall panel includes an extension thereof, cut from the first wall panel, which includes a glue flap hingedly attached to the free end thereof and that is securely attached to an opposed side wall of the carton. In the preferred form of this embodiment, the second interior wall panel preferably consists of several discreet sub-panels having different positional relationships within the carton as determined by the location of the score line connecting the first interior wall panel to the second interior wall panel. Similarly, the first interior wall panel is of varying size as determined by the location of the various score lines which form the discreet sub-panels of the second interior wall panel. The purpose of the use of separate, discreet sub-panel elements for the second interior wall panel is to provide an interior space having a varying size between the two interior wall panels for intimately gripping and retaining a product of non-uniform size in the interior compartment. Obviously the provision of discreet sub-panel elements on the second interior wall panel eliminates the need for a product retaining stop panel as specified in each of the first two embodiments.

In each case however, the provision of a separate bridge element within the carton as an integral part of either the first interior wall panel or the second interior wall panel. to permit the respective interior wall panel to extend between and be connected to two opposed side walls of the carton, insures that upon erection of the carton. there is no possibility that the two interior wall panels will not assume their preferred right angle relationship with regard to one another and thereby form a separate compartment within the carton for accepting and retaining therein a second product in the carton.

Accordingly, a further object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece, die-cut blank of novel design, fabricated from paperboard material or the like, that may be conveniently and simply formed into a carton having the above described characteristics merely by folding and gluing operations as performed on standard carton manufacturing machinery.

Hence. the above. and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments hereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. I shows a perspective view of a prior art carton construction with portions of the outer structure broken away to permit viewing of the inner structure;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. I in partially collapsed condition, in a position redundant to being completely set-up, and in a fully set-up position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a carton blank according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the carton blank of FIG. 3 after a first folding and gluing step;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carton prepared from the blank of FIGS. 3 and 4 with a portion of the outer structure broken away to permit viewing of the inner structure;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing the interior structure of the carton of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a carton blank according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows the carton blank of FIG. 7 after a first folding and gluing step;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the carton prepared from the blank of FIGS. 7 and 8 with a portion of the outer structure broken away to permit viewing of the inner structure;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a carton blank according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows the carton blank of FIG. 10 after a first folding and gluing step;

FIG. 12 shows the carton blank of FIG. 10 after a second folding and gluing step;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the carton prepared from the blank of FIGS. 10-12 with a portion of the outer structure broken away to permit viewing of the inner structure; and.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along lines I4l4 of FIG. 13 showing the internal structure of the carton of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The carton of the present invention takes the form of a flat, cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like which blank is adapted to form the novel one-piece carton for two or more products referred to hereinbefore. The carton blank is sized to accommodate a primary product and includes pre-cut interior panels for forming an integral proportionally size inner compartment for accepting at least one additional product.

FIG. I shows in some detail a view of a prior art carton including the internal structure that has been used in the past to package two different products in a single unit. The carton l of FIG. 1 includes a top wall 7 and a front wall 8 each of which have been partially broken away to view the interior paneling. Accordingly. the prior art cartons of this nature each include a glue flap 6 which has hingedly attached thereto a verical inner wall panel 2 and a horizontal wall panel 3. The horizontal wall panel 3 is shown as being secured to the front wall 8 by a glue flap 4 while the vertical wall panel 2 is secured to the top wall 7 by the glue flap 6. In addition, as often required to limit the translational movement of one of the products, the carton I of FIG. I also shows a product retaining flap 5 attached to glue flap 6 and extending freely across the end of the interior compartment formed by the right angle wall panels 2 and 3. The carton shown in FIG. I has generally served its purpose in a satisfactory manner except for set-up and loading problems which are more clearly illustrated in the cross sectional view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows in solid lines the carton of FIG. I in a partially collapsed condition with the glue flaps 4 and 6 secured to their respective outer walls of the carton and the inner panels 2 and 3 approaching the properly set-up right angle configuration shown in dotted lines. However, FIG. 2 also shows in dot-dash lines a problem that quite often occurs on the assembly line when the cartons are being squared for loading. Note that in FIG. 2 the letter F denotes a force that sometimes occurs during the rapid squaring sequence which tends to force the panels 2, 3 into a position that makes it impossible for the carton to be squared properly. The force F tends to urge the panels 2, 3 into the position shown by the dot-dash lines (FIG. 2) and cause the machinery to jam. The novel carton construction to be described in detail hereinafter is designed to eliminate entirely the possibility of the carton interior walls becoming flexed into a redundant position as shown in FIG. 2.

In this regard. FIG. 3 shows in blank form a typical blank construction which could be used to fabricate the novel carton herein. A series of outer walls l0, l2, l4 and 16 are separated by fold lines 11, 13, and and they make up the conventional four side walls of one ordinary carton. Attached along the opposite free edge of the side panel 16 there is located the additional panels necessary to form the secondary product inner compartment. These latter panels are suitably shaped, cut and scored to form the inner compartment side walls and a product supporting element or shelf for the secondary product.

In particular, attached to the side panel 16 along a fold line l7, there is located a glue panel l8 which is scored to form an odd shape and which is ultimately adhered to the inside of side wall 10 to complete the basic outer carton configuration. The odd shape of the glue panel I8 in this embodiment is formed by applying to the glue panel 18 a cut line 33 for approximately onehalf the width of the panel and so as to intersect the scored line 19 located more-or-less centrally of the panel. It should be apparent that the cut line 33, and, for that matter the score line 19 could be reoriented from their illustrated location to accommodate either a shorter or taller, or, thinner or fatter secondary product. However, for the sake of illustration, the score line 19 is shown as extending from the end of cut line 33 to the base of the glue panel 18 so as to form one of the interior wall panels 20 of the carton. Meanwhile, another score line 22 is shown in the glue panel 18 in an offset and parallel relationship to the score line 19 and extending from some intermediate point along the cut line 33 to form a product retaining flap 23 at the end of the blank.

The interior wall panel 20 includes a wall panel extension portion 28 defined by the cut lines 26 located centrally of the panel 20 and has connected to the end thereofa separate glue flap 27. Also in the interior wall panel 20, there are a pair of preferably parallel and c0- extensive fold lines 21 which extend from the ends of the cut lines 26 to form a pair of discreet second interior wall panels 24 which each have connected to the ends thereof the separate glue flaps 25. Thus it may be seen that the fold lines 19 and 21 define one interior wall panel and the fold lines 21 and 34 define a second interior wall panel except that the second interior wall panel is divided into two discreet segments 24 by the cut lines 26 which form the wall panel extension portion 28 of the first interior wall panel 20. Moreover, it would be possible, if desired, to allow the glue flap to be continuous and unbroken as shown without deviating from the principles of the invention contemplated herein. For this particular option, the interior wall extension 28 would simply be cut out of the glue flap 25 and wall 24 and held in position during feeding of the blank on the machine by nicks placed along the cut lines 26. The interior wall extension would then be freed by breaking the nicks after feeding into the gluer section.

FIG. 3 also shows a Staude machine glue application at 29 and 30 to the inside of the carton for securing the respective panels in their proper places to insure that the inner compartment is formed in the carton and to eliminate entirely any tendency for the carton to become jammed when set-up. in this regard, the carton folding sequence next takes place with an initial fold about fold line 17 to adhere the interior wall extension portion glue flap 27 to the glue application at 29 and also to apply adhesive at 36 for the final gluing of the carton. A second fold is then made from right-to-left along fold line 13 to adhere the second interior wall glue flaps 25 to the glue applications at 30 and to adhere side wall to the glue panel 18 at glue application 36.

The carton thus formed is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the interior structure is illustrated. Note that the interior wall 20 is rigidly attached between the side wall 10 and the side wall 14 via the interior wall extension 28 and the glue flap 27. Meanwhile, the second interior wall 24 is shown as extending in two discreet but coextensive and planar elevations between the first interior wall 20 and the carton side wall 12. Thus it may be seen that, according to the present invention, a carton construction fully as functional as the prior art carton of FIG. 1 is obtained, with the further bonus that because of the presence of the interior wall extension portion 28 and glue flap 27, there is no possibility for the inner compartment walls 20, 24 to become jammed in an over-center position and thereby fail to become oriented in their right angle inner compartment forming configuration.

FIG. 6 clearly shows the above to be true where it may be seen that as the carton moves from the collapsed state, shown schematically in dotted lines, to the fully erected state shown in solid lines, the bridge element 28 attached by flap 27 to bottom wall 14 assures that the panels 20, 24 will not be urged to an overcenter condition.

FIGS. 7 and 8 each show another typical blank configuration according to the present invention. In the illustrations of FIGS. 7 and 8, similar reference characters have been applied to similar panels as shown in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 36. In this regard, the typical blank construction of FIG. 7 utilizes a series of outer walls l0, l2, l4 and I6 separated by fold lines 11, 13 and I5, and, as in the case of the construction shown in FIG. 3, these walls make up the conventional four side walls of an ordinary carton. Attached along the opposite free edge of the side wall I6 there is located the additional panels necessary to form the secondary product inner compartment in accordance with the present invention. As in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 3-6, these latter panels are cut and scored to form the inner compartment interior walls and a product supporting shelf for the secondary product.

In particular, it will be noted that there is a glue panel 18 attached to the side wall 16 along the fold line 17. The glue panel 18 is of an odd shape as shown in FIG. 7 as a result of the location of the cut line 33 at one end thereof which intersects the fold line 19 at a point previously determined to accommodate the secondary product. The score line 19, which extends from the end of cut line 33 to the base of the glue panel 18 serves to define one side of the carton interior wall panel 20. Meanwhile, another score line 22 is shown in the glue panel 18 in an offset and parallel relationship to the score line 19 to form a product retaining flap 23 as known in the art.

Of course. the novelty in the present carton design lies in the orientation and location of the cut lines and score lines in the interior wall 20 which forms the combined interior wall panels and integral bridge member which assures the reliability of the carton during the set-up and loading sequence. In this regard, the interior wall panel 20 includes a wall panel extension portion or bridge member 28 defined by a cut line 26 that is parallel to the cut line 33, but located at the opposite end of the carton blank from the cut line 33. The wall panel extension portion 28 also includes at the free end thereof a separate glue flap 27 which connects the bridge element between two opposed side walls of the carton in the set-up condition. Interior wall panel 20 also includes a pair of parallel spaced apart fold lines 21, 34 which define the second interior wall panel 24. Of course, the second interior wall panel 24 includes yet another separate glue flap 25 at the free edge thereof for orienting the second interior wall panel 24 between the first interior wall panel 20 and an adjacent side wall of the carton. In the embodiment of FIGS. 79, the second interior wall panel 24 is not divided as was the case in FIGS. 3-6, however, the two different schemes for carrying out the principles of the present invention are substantially the same.

The glue application shown applied to the blank of FIGS. 7 and 8 is of the straight line application and is accomplished as follows. Initially, the second interior wall panel 24 is folded upwardly along score line 21 to permit a top glue pot to apply adhesive along the glue flap 27. Then at a second glue station, two bottom glue pots apply adhesive to the flap 25 and panel [8 at 38 and 37 respectively in preparation for the folding operation. Subsequently, the blank is folded once along score line 17 to adhere glue flap 27 to carton side wall 14, and a second time along score line [3 to adhere glue flap 25 to carton side wall [2 and glue panel 18 to carton side wall 10.

The carton thus formed in shown in FIG. 9 wherein the interior structure is illustrated. Note that the interior wall panel 20 is rigidly attached between the carton side walls and 14 via the integral wall extension 28 and the glue flap 27. Meanwhile, the second interior wall 24 is shown extending between the first interior wall 20 and the carton side wall l2. This gluing scheme is substantially the same as employed in the carton illustrated in FIG. 5, except for the location ofthe bridge member 28. Accordingly, as in the case of the carton ofFlG. 5, there is no possibility that the inner compartment walls 20. 24 of the carton shown in FIG. 9 will become jammed in an overcenter position and thereby fail to become oriented in their proper position when the carton is set up.

Finally, FIGS. -14 show yet another typical blank and carton configuration that is possible according to the present invention. FIG. 10 shows the blank in a flat condition wherein there are a series of outer walls 42, 40, 44 and 46 separated by the score lines 41, 43 and 45. Along the opposite free edge of side wall 46, there is a glue panel 48 foldably attached thereto by the score line 47. Then, attached to the glue panel 48, along the fold line 49. there may be found the additional panels necessary to form the secondary product inner compartment as described in connection with the previous two embodiments of the invention. Of course, as in the previous embodiments, these latter panels are cut and scored to form the inner compartment sidewalls and a slightly different secondary product supporting element than the element disclosed in the previous two modified forms of the blank.

In particular. attached to the glue panel 48 along a fold line 49, is a first interior wall panel 50 which is quite extensively scored and cut to provide both an interior compartment bridge member and a second interior wall panel consisting of three discreet elements, namely panels 67, 54 and 58. Then, attached to the above noted discreet panel elements, there is a final glue panel 56 attached thereto along staggered score lines 55, 61 and 57.

Initially, however, it will be noted that the first element 58 of the second interior wall panel is formed from the first interior wall panel 50 by a pair of parallel and spaced apart score lines 57, 59 and a cut line 60 which is wholly located within the panel 50. Accordingly, the first element 58 of the second interior wall panel thus serves alternately as a secondary product retaining member at one end of the inner compartment, or, as a member for gripping and retaining one end of an odd shaped secondary product within the inner compartment. The second discreet member 54 of the second inner wall panel is formed by a pair of parallel score lines which are separated from one another by the same amount as the score lines 57, 59, but are offset from the score lines 57, S9 to effectively serve as a further gripping and retaining member for a different part of the odd shaped secondary product within the inner compartment. Finally, the third discreet element 67 ofthe second interior wall panel is formed by yet another pair of parallel and similarly spaced apart score lines 51, 55 and the cut line 53 within the panel 50, for forming the third element for gripping and retaining the remainder of the odd shaped secondary product enclosed in the inner compartment. In addition, as clearly illustrated in the blank structure of FIG. 10, and as will be explained more clearly with respect to FIGS. 13 and I4, the third discreet element 67 ofthe second interior wall also includes an extension which is cut from the interior panel 50 and which includes a glue flap 52 to form the bridge element for the carton as required by the present invention.

FIG. 10 also shows a Staude machine glue application at 63, 64, 65 and 66, to the inside of the panels of the carton for securing the respective panels in their proper places thereby insuring that the inner compartment is formed in the carton, and to eliminate entirely any tendency for the carton to become jammed into a redundant position when set-up. In this respect, because of the location of the inner compartment forming panels on the blank structure, three folding steps are required to set up the carton from the blank of FIG. 10, whereas, with the blanks shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, only two folding steps were required. FIG. ll illustrates the first folding step, wherein the carton blank is folded along fold line 49 to adhere the glue panel 56 to the adhesive applications at 63 and 64 previously applied to side wall 46. FIG. 12 shows the second folding step about score line 45 which serves to adhere the bridge element glue flap 52 to the adhesive application applied at 65 to panel 40, and a third folding step would then be required at fold line 4l to adhere side roll 42 to glue panel 48. In this regard, it should be noted that glue could either be applied as shown at 66 to side wall 42, or in the alternative to glue panel 48.

The carton thus formed is shown in FIG. 13 where portions of the outer walls of the carton are cut away to illustrate the unique interior structure. Note that the interior wall panel portion 67 is rigidly attached between the opposed carton side walls 40, 46 by the bridge member extension and glue flap 52 while the other two discreet interior wall panels 54, 58 extend in parallel and planar offset relationship between the carton wall 46 and the first interior wall panel 50. Of course, as in the case of the previous embodiments, the interior wall panel 50 extends between the three discreet interior wall elements 67, 54 and 58 and the adjacent side wall of the carton at 42. Hence, as pointed out hereinbefore, the carton formed from the blank of FIG. 10 produces a carton construction fully as functional as the prior art carton of HO. 1 with the added feature, that, because of the presence of the interior wall extension to panel element 67 and glue flap 52, there is no possibility for the inner compartment walls 50 and 67, 54 and 58 to become jammed in an overcenter position and thereby fail to become oriented in their right angle inner compartment forming configuration. H0. 14 clearly shows the above to be true wherein it may be seen that with the carton in the set-up condition, the bridge element extending from panel 67 assures that the respective panels 50 and 67, 54 and 58 will not tend to move to an overcenter and redundant condition.

It may thus be seen that the present invention provides an improved collapsible carton having a secondary product retaining compartment which is easy to manufacture, assemble and erect; which is economical of material used; which is economical of labor and operations required to produce; which fully protects and partially isolates the enclosed articles from one another; and which is a general improvement over the prior art. Another feature of the present invention not previously mentioned lies in the provision for applying window openings in the different carton sidewalls to thereby permit visual inspection and display generally of the secondary product packaged in the carton. It will be noted that in the carton blank structures shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 the window area mentioned above has been shown and characterized by the broken lines at 32. In the blank illustrated in H6. 10, the corresponding window area is also illustrated by broken lines.

Accordingly, this specification and the accompanying drawing have thus described and illustrated several preferred embodiments of the carton according to the present invention including the steps necessary for fabricating the novel inner compartment structure of the carton. It is to be understood, however. that even though only the preferred embodiments have been described in detail, numerous changes and variations could be made in the construction of the carton while retaining the novelty of the invention. Thus, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations in the implementation of the concepts of the invention are within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like comprising:

a. four foldably connected exterior side walls which are shiftable between a substantially flat collapsed condition to an erected condition wherein the exterior side walls define a rectangular carton with right angled corners;

b. end closure flaps foldably connected to the end edges of said side walls;

c. an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton and consisting of a pair of side wall and the other of said pair adhered to an exterior side wall adjacent to said first exterior side wall; and d. a bridge-like member formed by an integral extension of one of the inner wall panels and connected between two opposed exterior side walls of the carton for the purpose of assuring that the two inner wall panels will assume a substantially right angle relationship to one another when the carton is shifted from its substantially flat collapsed condition to its erected condition. 2. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like comprising:

a. four foldably connected exterior side walls which are shiftable between a substantially flat collapsed condition to an erected condition wherein the exterior side walls define a rectangular carton with right angled corners;

b. end closure flaps foldably connected to the end edges of said side walls; and,

c. an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton consisting of a pair of inner wall panels which are connected between two opposed side walls of the carton and between two adjacent side walls of the carton wherein the first interior wall panel is connected to a glue flap for securing the carton together and the second interior wall panel is divided into two portions and connected to the first interior wall panel, said first interior wall panel including an integral centrally located portion having a glue flap at the free end thereof for attaching the first interior wall panel between two opposed side walls of the carton. and said two portions of the second interior wall panel including glue flaps at the free edges thereof for attaching the second interior wall panel between the first interior wall panel and an adjacent side wall of said carton.

3. The carton of claim 2 wherein in the erected con dition of the carton, said first interior wall panel extends perpendicularly from one adjacent side wall of the carton to the intersection of the first interior wall panel with the second interior wall panel and the two portions of the second interior wall panel extend at a right angle from the first interior wall panel perpendicularly to another adjacent side wall of the carton.

4. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like comprising:

a. four foldably connected exterior side walls which are shiftable between substantially flat collapsed condition to an erected condition wherein the exte rior side walls define a rectangular carton with right angled corners;

b. end closure flaps foldably connected to the end edges of said side walls; and,

c. an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton consisting of a pair of inner wall panels which are connected between two opposed side walls of the carton and between two adjacent side walls of the carton wherein the first interior wall panel is connected to a glue flap for securing the carton together and the second interior wall panel is connected to the first interior wall panel, said first interior wall panel including an integral portion located at one end thereof having a glue flap at the free end thereof for attaching the first interior wall panel between two opposed side walls of the carton. said second interior wall panel including a glue flap at the free end thereof for attaching the second interior wall panel between the first interior wall panel and an adjacent side wall of said carton.

5. The carton of claim 4 wherein said interior wall panel extends perpendicularly from one adjacent side wall of the carton in the erected condition to the intersection of the first interior wall panel with the second interior wall panel and the second interior wall panel extends at a right angle from the first interior wall panel perpendicularly to another adjacent side wall of the carton.

6. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like comprising:

a. four foldably connected exterior side walls which are shiftable between a substantially flat collapsed condition to an erected condition wherein the clue rior side walls define a rectangular carton with right angled corners;

b end closure flaps foldably connected to the end edges of said side walls; and,

c. an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton consisting of a pair of inner wall panels which are connected between two opposed side walls of the carton and between two adjacent side walls of the carton wherein with the carton erected, the first interior wall panel is hingedly connected to a free edge of the carton glue flap and extends inside the carton from one side wall to a plurality of score lines in the first interior wall panel where the first interior wall panel is hingedly connected to the second interior wall panel, said second interior wall panel extending between the first interior wall panel and an adjacent side wall of the carton said second interior wall panel including an extension. cut from the first interior wall panel and extending between and attached to an opposed side wall of the carton.

7. The carton of claim 6 wherein the second interior wall panel consists of several discreet sub-panels having different positional relationships within the carton as determined by the location of the score lines connecting the first interior wall panel to the second interior wall panel.

8. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like. said blank comprising:

a a plurality of outer carton side walls connected together along parallel fold lines;

b. a glue panel foldably connected to the free edge of one of said outer carton side walls;

c. a product retaining flap foldably attached to a portion of one edge of said glue panel along a first fold line;

d. a first interior wall panel foldably attached to the remaining portion of one edge of said glue panel along a second fold line offset from but parallel to the first fold line, said first interior wall panel including a centrally located extension thereof having a glue flap attached thereto; and,

e. a pair of separate and discreet second interior wall panels on each side of said first interior wall extension and attached to said first interior wall panel along coextensive fold lines, said separate and discreet panels each having a glue flap attached to the free edge thereof.

9. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like. said blank comprising:

a. a plurality of outer carton side walls connected together along parallel fold lines;

b. a glue panel foldably connected to the free edge of one of said outer carton side walls;

c. a product retaining flap foldably attached to a portion of one edge of said glue panel along a first fold line;

d. a first interior wall panel foldably attached to the remaining portion of said one edge of said glue panel along a second fold line offset from but parallel to the first fold line, said first interior wall panel including an extension thereof at one end having a glue flap attached thereto; and.

e. a second interior wall panel foldably attached to said first interior wall panel along a third fold line parallel to and spaced from said second fold line, said second interior wall panel including a glue flap attached along the free edge thereof.

10. A reinforced multiple product carton forked from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like, said blank comprising:

a. a plurality of outer carton side walls connected together along parallel fold lines;

b. a first glue panel foldably connected to the free edge of one of said outer carton side walls;

c. a first interior wall panel foldably attached to said first glue panel along a fold line parallel to said outer carton side wall fold lines;

d. a second interior wall panel formed from three discreet sub-panels attached to said first interior wall panel along parallel but offset fold lines, one of said sub-panels including an extended portion cut from the first interior wall panel. said extended portion having a glue flap attached to the free edge thereof; and.

ev a second glue panel attached to said second interior wall panel along parallel but offset fold lines that are equally spaced from said parallel and offset fold lines connecting the first interior wall panel to the second interior wall panel. i 

1. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like comprising: a. four foldably connected exterior side walls which are shiftable between a subsTantially flat collapsed condition to an erected condition wherein the exterior side walls define a rectangular carton with right angled corners; b. end closure flaps foldably connected to the end edges of said side walls; c. an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton and consisting of a pair of inner wall panels which are connected to one another and between two opposed side walls of the carton, one of said pair adhered to one exterior side wall and the other of said pair adhered to an exterior side wall adjacent to said first exterior side wall; and d. a bridge-like member formed by an integral extension of one of the inner wall panels and connected between two opposed exterior side walls of the carton for the purpose of assuring that the two inner wall panels will assume a substantially right angle relationship to one another when the carton is shifted from its substantially flat collapsed condition to its erected condition.
 2. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like comprising: a. four foldably connected exterior side walls which are shiftable between a substantially flat collapsed condition to an erected condition wherein the exterior side walls define a rectangular carton with right angled corners; b. end closure flaps foldably connected to the end edges of said side walls; and, c. an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton consisting of a pair of inner wall panels which are connected between two opposed side walls of the carton and between two adjacent side walls of the carton wherein the first interior wall panel is connected to a glue flap for securing the carton together and the second interior wall panel is divided into two portions and connected to the first interior wall panel, said first interior wall panel including an integral centrally located portion having a glue flap at the free end thereof for attaching the first interior wall panel between two opposed side walls of the carton, and said two portions of the second interior wall panel including glue flaps at the free edges thereof for attaching the second interior wall panel between the first interior wall panel and an adjacent side wall of said carton.
 3. The carton of claim 2 wherein in the erected condition of the carton, said first interior wall panel extends perpendicularly from one adjacent side wall of the carton to the intersection of the first interior wall panel with the second interior wall panel and the two portions of the second interior wall panel extend at a right angle from the first interior wall panel perpendicularly to another adjacent side wall of the carton.
 4. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like comprising: a. four foldably connected exterior side walls which are shiftable between substantially flat collapsed condition to an erected condition wherein the exterior side walls define a rectangular carton with right angled corners; b. end closure flaps foldably connected to the end edges of said side walls; and, c. an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton consisting of a pair of inner wall panels which are connected between two opposed side walls of the carton and between two adjacent side walls of the carton wherein the first interior wall panel is connected to a glue flap for securing the carton together and the second interior wall panel is connected to the first interior wall panel, said first interior wall panel including an integral portion located at one end thereof having a glue flap at the free end thereof for attaching the first interior wall panel between two opposed side walls of the carton, said second interior wall panel including a glue flap at the free end thereof for attaching the second interior wall panel between the first interior wall panel and an adjacent side wall of said carton.
 5. The carton of claim 4 wherein said inteRior wall panel extends perpendicularly from one adjacent side wall of the carton in the erected condition to the intersection of the first interior wall panel with the second interior wall panel and the second interior wall panel extends at a right angle from the first interior wall panel perpendicularly to another adjacent side wall of the carton.
 6. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like comprising: a. four foldably connected exterior side walls which are shiftable between a substantially flat collapsed condition to an erected condition wherein the exterior side walls define a rectangular carton with right angled corners; b. end closure flaps foldably connected to the end edges of said side walls; and, c. an internal product supporting and locating structure within the carton consisting of a pair of inner wall panels which are connected between two opposed side walls of the carton and between two adjacent side walls of the carton wherein with the carton erected, the first interior wall panel is hingedly connected to a free edge of the carton glue flap and extends inside the carton from one side wall to a plurality of score lines in the first interior wall panel where the first interior wall panel is hingedly connected to the second interior wall panel, said second interior wall panel extending between the first interior wall panel and an adjacent side wall of the carton, said second interior wall panel including an extension, cut from the first interior wall panel and extending between and attached to an opposed side wall of the carton.
 7. The carton of claim 6 wherein the second interior wall panel consists of several discreet sub-panels having different positional relationships within the carton as determined by the location of the score lines connecting the first interior wall panel to the second interior wall panel.
 8. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like, said blank comprising: a. a plurality of outer carton side walls connected together along parallel fold lines; b. a glue panel foldably connected to the free edge of one of said outer carton side walls; c. a product retaining flap foldably attached to a portion of one edge of said glue panel along a first fold line; d. a first interior wall panel foldably attached to the remaining portion of one edge of said glue panel along a second fold line offset from but parallel to the first fold line, said first interior wall panel including a centrally located extension thereof having a glue flap attached thereto; and, e. a pair of separate and discreet second interior wall panels on each side of said first interior wall extension and attached to said first interior wall panel along coextensive fold lines, said separate and discreet panels each having a glue flap attached to the free edge thereof.
 9. A reinforced multiple product carton formed from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like, said blank comprising: a. a plurality of outer carton side walls connected together along parallel fold lines; b. a glue panel foldably connected to the free edge of one of said outer carton side walls; c. a product retaining flap foldably attached to a portion of one edge of said glue panel along a first fold line; d. a first interior wall panel foldably attached to the remaining portion of said one edge of said glue panel along a second fold line offset from but parallel to the first fold line, said first interior wall panel including an extension thereof at one end having a glue flap attached thereto; and, e. a second interior wall panel foldably attached to said first interior wall panel along a third fold line parallel to and spaced from said second fold line, said second interior wall panel including a glue flap attached along the free edge thereof.
 10. A reinforced multiple product carton forked from a one-piece blank of paperboard or the like, said Blank comprising: a. a plurality of outer carton side walls connected together along parallel fold lines; b. a first glue panel foldably connected to the free edge of one of said outer carton side walls; c. a first interior wall panel foldably attached to said first glue panel along a fold line parallel to said outer carton side wall fold lines; d. a second interior wall panel formed from three discreet sub-panels attached to said first interior wall panel along parallel but offset fold lines, one of said sub-panels including an extended portion cut from the first interior wall panel, said extended portion having a glue flap attached to the free edge thereof; and, e. a second glue panel attached to said second interior wall panel along parallel but offset fold lines that are equally spaced from said parallel and offset fold lines connecting the first interior wall panel to the second interior wall panel. 